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Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Could you become a foster carer?

Cheshire East Council is renewing its impassioned plea for adoptive parents to come forward to help children and young people.

Foster Care Fortnight begins on Monday (May 14) for two weeks to highlight the need to recruit more foster carers across the country. There is currently a shortage of 10,000 foster carers nationally.

There are 432 ‘cared for’ children and young people in Cheshire East – but during the next 12 months the Council is hoping to significantly increase the number of new foster carer households.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said: “Adults who can provide either a foster care home or a permanent adoptive home are in short supply.

“We urgently need more people to come forward to foster sibling groups, for example, groups of brothers and sisters, children and young people over the age of 11 and children with disabilities.

“We would especially like to hear from those who can assist with placements of two years and longer.

“If people think they can offer stability, love and fun to a young person, I would urge them to get in touch with us. And what’s more, there is no strict upper-age limit on the ability to foster a child or young person.

“Becoming an adoptive parent or a foster carer is not a decision to be taken lightly – but the rewards can be immense.”

Foster Care Fortnight is organised by the Fostering Network charity, which launched its ‘22 minutes’ campaign on Monday (May 7).

The campaign centres on the fact that a child goes into care and needs a foster family every 22 minutes across the country. Last year, more than 24,000 children went into care and needed fostering, an increase of 17 per cent compared to 2008.

More information can be obtained at fostering information evenings being held later this year. They are at Middlewich Community Church at 6pm on Monday, July 2 and at Disley Primary School at 6pm on Monday, October 29.